The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education called on community members to support a $4.5 million per year operational referendum as voters prepare to head to the polls on April 7.
The referendum would provide funding for five years to cover operational, instructional, and maintenance expenses for the district. The board said this measure is necessary because funds from the last approved operational referendum expired in 2023, and current state aid and property taxes are not enough to meet daily operating costs such as salaries, utilities, transportation, and building upkeep.
Board President Craig Wortman and Vice-President Sam Ouweneel wrote that “the WUSD Board of Education takes its responsibility seriously to carefully manage the community’s tax dollars, and is committed to reducing spending.” They added that over $1.2 million has already been cut from the 2025-26 operating budget through staff reductions and other measures. Even if the new referendum passes, further cuts in staffing, programming, and building maintenance are planned for future years.
In February 2026, the board voted to close Lincoln Elementary School and LEAP (Lebanon) Elementary School at the end of the 2026-27 school year as part of efforts to reduce overall expenses. Last year’s attempt at a $7 million recurring referendum was unsuccessful; since then, feedback from focus groups and a mailed community survey led the board to propose this smaller amount with a five-year term instead.
According to Wortman and Ouweneel’s letter: “A successful referendum would enable the district to stabilize its financial foundation. It would also make it possible for the district to retain as many high-quality staff members as possible while maintaining high-quality core programming.” The board also noted that even with approval of this measure, “the mill rate of a successful referendum would still be less than… during the 2023-24 school year,” due in part to careful fiscal management that has left WUSD without capital debt.
Watertown Unified School District offers diverse programs including five unique elementary schools with specialized learning opportunities according to its official website. The district provides nineteen Division I athletic offerings according to its official website and has received honors such as being named a U.S. News & World Report Best High School and recognized by NAMM for music education according to its official website. Academic excellence remains central through various educational initiatives designed both for achievement in schoolwork and long-term engagement in learning according to its official website.
Wortman concluded: “Strong public schools are essential to Watertown’s future. They support economic development, help families thrive, and ensure that Watertown remains a place where people look out for one another.”
